[prawn]

What might realistically happen for this to be achievable in an existing or new home? Or as a default for new homes?

I camp a bit and spend more than enough time dealing with 12V lighting, recharging drone batteries from car/aux batteries, etc. Always end up wondering how much of my house actually needs AC, where in the house that occurs (fridge, ducted heating/cooling unit?) and what could get by without it. More and more of my power tools are battery based too. Would AC to the kitchen and garage be enough?

[da_big_ghey]

Motors, compressors still are more efficient on AC, for place like American South where air conditioning represent largest segment from electricity expense AC grid remains making sense.

[stephen_g]

Yes, but the very most efficient AC motors and compressors motors use variable frequency drives, and you can design a VFD powered by either AC or DC.

I still do think AC is still advantageous in a lot of ways for power grids though, just not on that particular point.